Jets WR Denzel Mims hopes to improve route running, become ‘go-to guy’

Jets’ Denzel Mims want to improve his route running this offseason and be the ‘go-to guy.’

Denzel Mims has only played in a handful of games in his rookie season, but he already has his mind set on what he needs to improve upon in his first NFL offseason.

Mims, the Jets’ 2020 second-round pick out of Baylor, only has a six-game sample size in the NFL, mainly because of hamstring injuries that he dealt with in training camp and in the first half of the season. However, Mims has been impactful when he’s been on the field. Now, as the season winds down, Mims is already focusing on what he needs to do to get better.

“Everything, but the main focus for me is that I want to be able to be labeled as a good route runner,” Mims said, per SNY. “That’s what in the offseason I’m going to work on a lot and try to be good in that area and try to do good in everything else. I want to be that go-to guy.”

In the six games Mims has been on the field, he’s given a glimpse into what kind of receiver he can be. He’s racked up 19 catches for 324 yards without a full training camp and a limited number of practices.

When the Jets do target Mims, it’s been primarily on plays down the field. He’s averaging 17.1 yards per reception and nine yards per target, according to Pro Football Reference. It’s been vertical routes and deep crossing routes in particular that have been successful for Mims.

Based on what Mims said Wednesday, however, he wants to do more than what he’s been doing. He wants to be the guy that you can count on getting a first down in a key spot or making a big touchdown grab late in the game.

All that comes with time and reps, but it seems like Mims is determined to get those this offseason. If Mims can do that, it would definitely give the Jets a legit wide receiver for 2021 and beyond.

Jets injury report: Sam Ficken, La’Mical Perine return to practice

The Jets are designating Sam Ficken and La’Mical Perine to return to practice on Wednesday.

Reinforcements are on the way for the Jets this week.

The Jets designated Sam Ficken (groin) and La’Mical Perine (ankle) to return to practice in preparation for the Rams. Both players have been on the injured reserve list, and their status for Sunday’s game against the Rams is to be determined.

Jamison Crowder (calf) and Jordan Jenkins (shoulder) are being held out of Wednesday’s practice. Adam Gase hopes Crowder will practice on Thursday, though.

Connor McGovern, Breshad Perriman and Marcus Maye are limited, while Denzel Mims is back at practice after tending to a family emergency last week.

Jets cut ties with K Sergio Castillo after 3 misses vs. Seahawks

The Jets have released kicker Sergio Castillo after six games.

Sergio Castillo’s time with the New York Jets is up.

The Jets announced on Tuesday that they’ve released Castillo after he kicked in six games for them. Castillo was 8-15 on field goals and 6-7 on extra points. He started off his Jets career strong, making six of his first seven field goal attempts in his first three games. However, it went downhill in recent weeks, with Sunday’s game against the Seahawks serving as the nail in the coffin. Castillo went 1-4 on field goals with misses from 37, 41 and 43 yards out.

On Monday, the Jets claimed kicker Chase McLaughlin off waivers from the Jaguars. With McLaughlin signed and Sam Ficken expected back this week, Castillo was the odd man out.

With Castillo now gone, it will either be McLaughlin or Ficken kicking for the Jets on Sunday in Los Angeles.

Updated 2021 NFL draft order: Jets clinch top 3 pick

The Jets are guaranteed to pick inside the top three of the 2021 NFL draft.

The Jets are guaranteed to pick inside the top three in the 2021 NFL draft.

With New York falling to 0-13 after its 40-3 loss to Seattle, and Dallas picking up its fourth win over Cincinnati, the Jets can not pick any lower than third overall. The Jets still control the No. 1 overall pick with their 13th loss as well.

Jacksonville didn’t do New York any favors though. The Jaguars were smoked by the Titans, 31-10 at home, dropping their record to 1-12. Cincinnati is also still mathematically alive for the No. 1 overall pick with a 2-10-1 record.

The Jets have a one-game lead over the Jaguars and a 2.5-game lead over the Bengals for the top pick in next year’s draft. Both the Jets and Jaguars have tough remaining schedules. The Jets play the Rams, Browns and Patriots, while the Jaguars play the Ravens, Bears and Colts. One win for either team could be detrimental in terms of landing the No. 1 overall pick.

Let’s take a look at where the first-round draft order stands after Week 14.

1. New York Jets (0-13)

2. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-12)

3. Cincinnati Bengals (2-10-1)

4. Dallas Cowboys (4-9)

5. Los Angeles Chargers (4-9)

6. Carolina Panthers (4-9)

7. Atlanta Falcons (4-9)

8. Miami Dolphins (from Houston, 4-9)

9. Philadelphia Eagles (4-8-1)

10. New York Giants (5-8)

11. Detroit Lions (5-8)

12. San Francisco 49ers (5-8)

13. Denver Broncos (5-8)

14. Minnesota Vikings (6-7)

15. Chicago Bears (6-7)

16. New England Patriots (6-7)

17. Las Vegas Raiders (7-6)

18. Baltimore Ravens (8-5)

19. Washington Football Team (6-7)

20. Arizona Cardinals (7-6)

21. Miami Dolphins (8-5)

22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5)

23. Indianapolis Colts (9-4)

24. Cleveland Browns (9-4)

25. New York Jets (from Seattle Seahawks, 9-4)

26. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Los Angeles Rams, 9-4)

27. Tennessee Titans (9-4)

28. Buffalo Bills (10-3)

29. Green Bay Packers (10-3)

30. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-2)

31. New Orleans Saints (10-3)

32. Kansas City Chiefs (12-1)

Jets claim K Chase McLaughlin, DL Trevon Coley off waivers

The Jets have claimed Chase McLaughlin and Trevon Coley off waivers.

The Jets claimed kicker Chase McLaughlin and defensive lineman Trevon Coley off waivers on Monday.

McLaughlin has played in three games for the Jacksonville Jaguars this season. He made four of his five field goal attempts and three of his four extra points. McLaughlin was previously with the Vikings in 2020 and split time between the Bills, Vikings, Chargers, 49ers and Colts in 2019 after going undrafted out of Illinois. For McLaughlin’s career, he’s 22-28 on field goals and 29-30 on extra points.

This pickup doesn’t bode well for Sergio Castillo, who went 1-4 on field goals in Sunday’s 40-3 loss to the Seahawks. Sam Ficken is also expected to return to practice this week, so there will be added competition ahead of Sunday’s game against the Rams.

As for Coley, he played in six games for the Arizona Cardinals this season. He registered 14 total tackles, three for loss, and one sack. The Cardinals waived Coley on Saturday. Coley has spent time with the Ravens, Browns, Colts and Washington.

WR Denzel Mims back with Jets

Denzel Mims is in the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols, but the Jets expect him to practice this week.

Denzel Mims is back with the Jets this week after a family emergency caused him to miss Sunday’s game against the Seahawks.

Mims is currently in the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols, but Adam Gase expects him to practice this week. If all goes well, he should be able to play in Sunday’s game against the Rams.

The Jets could also get Sam Ficken back this week after his three-week stint on the injured reserve list with a groin injury. The same goes for La’Mical Perine, who has been out with an ankle injury. We’ll see if both can practice for the Jets this week.

In other injury news, the Jets lost defensive back Saquon Hampton for the season after he ruptured his Achilles tendon during Sunday’s game against the Seahawks.

Ex-Jet Jamal Adams breaks DB sack record vs. former team

Jamal Adams now has the most sacks by a defensive back in a season with 8.5 sacks.

Jamal Adams nearly broke the NFL’s defensive back sack record last season with the Jets. This season, he broke it as a Seahawk and against his former team.

Adams registered a sack on Sam Darnold in the first half, giving him 8.5 this year. Adams now has the most sacks for a defensive back in a season. The record was previously held by former Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson when he had eight sacks in 2005.

It only took Adams nine games to break the record, compared to Wilson who did it in 15 games in 2005. Adams missed four games earlier in the season with a groin injury.

In 2019 with the Jets, Adams was on pace to break the record until he got injured in Week 12 against the Bengals and missed two games. He did come back for the Jets’ final two games of the regular season, but failed to record a sack in either one of those games. Adams finished with 6.5 sacks last season.

New York dealt Adams to Seattle this past offseason after he forced his way out because he wanted a contract extension. The Jets weren’t interested in giving Adams an extension at the time, so they traded him to the Seahawks for two first-round picks, one third-round pick and Bradley McDougald.

On Sunday, he made history against the team that dealt him.

Report: Bill Cowher has ‘no interest in coaching’ amid Jets speculation

Rumors pegged Hall of Fame coach Bill Cowher as a fit for the Jets, but he isn’t interested.

Rumors swirled this past week about Bill Cowher making a return to the sidelines, specifically with the Jets should they fire Adam Gase. However, it turns out the Hall of Fame coach is happy in retirement.

WFAN’s Boomer Esiason speculated that Cowher hasn’t shut the door on a potential return to coaching and that he finds the Jets job to be an attractive one. However, Cowher told ESPN’s Rich Cimini that he doesn’t plan on making a comeback.

“I have no interest in coaching,” Cowher said.

Pertaining to the Jets job, specifically, Cowher doesn’t want to overstep by talking about a job that’s not open yet. But it doesn’t sound like he would be interested in any open positions, either.

“I have too much respect for the coaching profession to talk about a job that isn’t open,” Cowher said. “From that perspective, any job that is open, I have no interest in coaching.”

The 63-year-old has been out of the game since 2006. He had a 15-year stint as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, amassing a 149-90-1 record. He won a Super Bowl in his second to last season in 2005.

A coach like Cowher would give the Jets increased credibility given his winning pedigree and long list of career accomplishments, but that’s no happening, according to him. It’s unclear what or who exactly the Jets will look for when it comes time to replace Gase, but Cowher seems to be comfortable where he’s at on “The NFL Today.”

How to watch the New York Jets and the NFL this season without cable, Week 14 preview

Here’s everything you need to know to watch the Jets’ Week 14 game against the Seahawks.

The New York Jets will pay a visit to old friend Jamal Adams when they take on the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

This will be Adams’ first game against his former team since the Jets traded him to Seattle in exchange for two first-round picks, one third-round pick and Bradley McDougald.

New York will be without many key players on Sunday. S Ashtyn Davis (foot), S Bennett Jackson (hamstring), LB Jordan Jenkins (shoulder), WR Denzel Mims (personal reasons) and OL Greg Van Roten (toe) have all been ruled out, with Davis, Jackson and Van Roten landing on injured reserve.

WR Jamison Crowder (calf), RB Frank Gore (concussion) and OL Pat Elflein (shoulder/ankle) are questionable.

Seattle will be without OL Jamarco James (groin/pelvis). RB Travis Homer (knee) is doubtful, while DE Carlos Dunlap (foot), OL Cedric Ogbuehi (calf), S Ryan Neal (hip) and OL Phil Haynes (hip/groin) are all questionable.

Here’s everything you need to know to watch Sunday’s game as well as information for the remainder of the Jets’ 2020 season.

New York Jets at Seattle Seahawks

When: Sunday, December 6
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
TV Channel: CBS
Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)

How to watch the New York Jets and NFL

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New York Jets 2020 Schedule

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13, at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m., CBS, Loss, 27-17

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20, vs. San Francisco 49ers, 1 p.m., FOX, Loss, 31-13

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27, at Indianapolis Colts, 4.05 p.m., CBS, Loss, 36-7

Week 4: Thursday, Oct. 1, vs. Denver Broncos, 8:20 p.m., NFL Network, Loss, 37-28

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 11, vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1 p.m., FOX, Loss, 30-10

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 18, at Miami Dolphins, 4:05 p.m., CBS, Loss, 24-0

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 25, vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m., CBS, Loss, 18-10

Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1, at Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m., CBS, Loss, 35-9

Week 9: Monday, Nov. 9, vs. New England Patriots, 8:15 p.m., ESPN, Loss 30-27

Week 10: Bye Week

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22, at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m., CBS, Loss, 34-28

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 29, vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m., CBS, Loss, 20-3

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 6, vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 1 p.m., CBS, Loss, 31-28

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 13, at Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m., CBS

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 20, at Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m., FOX

Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 27, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m., CBS

Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3, at New England Patriots, 1 p.m., CBS

NFL Odds and Betting Lines

NFL odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds last updated Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. ET.

New York Jets at Seattle Seahawks (-14.5)

Jets injury report: Jamison Crowder questionable vs. Seahawks

Jamison Crowder is listed as questionable against the Seahawks with a calf injury.

After finally getting all three of their starting wide receivers on the field the past few weeks, the Jets could be down two of their top wideouts Sunday in Seattle.

WR Jamison Crowder did not practice on Friday after he injured his calf on Thursday. He is listed as questionable against the Seahawks, but not practicing on Friday doesn’t help his chances of playing. WR Denzel Mims, meanwhile, has already been ruled out as he tends to a family emergency in Texas. Breshad Perriman could be the Jets’ only starting wide receiver who plays on Sunday.

OL Pat Elflein (shoulder/ankle) and RB Frank Gore (concussion) are both questionable. Elflein practiced on a limited basis, while Gore was a full participant.

S Ashtyn Davis (foot), S Bennett Jackson (hamstring), LB Jordan Jenkins (shoulder) and OL Greg Van Roten (toe) have all been ruled out.

With the Jets in need of safety help, they signed S J.T. Hassell. He terminated his practice squad contract with the Patriots in order to sign elsewhere. Hassell originally went undrafted in 2019 out of Florida Tech and was signed by the Browns. Hassell appeared in four games for the Browns and registered seven tackles but spent the majority of his rookie season on their practice squad.

As for the Seahawks, OL Jamarco James (groin/pelvis) is the lone player ruled out for Seattle. RB Travis Homer (knee) is doubtful. DE Carlos Dunlap (foot), OL Cedric Ogbuehi (calf), S Ryan Neal (hip) and OL Phil Haynes (hip/groin) are questionable.